Ranked WPIAL boys volleyball teams aim to remain in contention during season’s stretch run

By: Michael Love
Monday, April 22, 2024 | 11:34 AM

Purchase Photo Options

The boys volleyball stretch run to the end of section play May 9 and the WPIAL playoffs the following week has begun, and teams are making preparations to battle for postseason positioning and berths to the tournaments in both Class 3A and Class 2A.

The Western Pa. Volleyball Coaches Association released its latest rankings Monday morning, and Shaler and Mars both held on to their respective No. 1 positions while Central Catholic (Class 3A) and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Class 2A) each move into the top 10.

North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Norwin and Penn-Trafford rounded out the Class 3A top 5.

Ambridge, North Catholic, South Fayette and Gateway completed the Class 2A top five, while Thomas Jefferson made the biggest jump in either poll this week with a move from No. 10 to No. 6 in Class 2A.

Central Catholic won three matches in a row since a tough 3-0 Section 3-3A loss to No. 4 Norwin.

The wins including a 3-0 triumph over No. 9 Hempfield in section play last Tuesday.

OLSH made the move into the rankings with a 4-0 stretch that featured three wins in Section 1-2A, including over No. 9 Seton LaSalle, 3-2, on April 8.

Only one tournament this past Saturday featured WPIAL teams. Upper St. Clair hosted 11 teams for its annual tournament, and Class 3A No. 6 Canon-McMillan defeated Class 3A No. 7 Butler, 25-21, in the one-game championship final.

Gateway and Ambridge were semifinalists.

Every WPIAL boys volleyball coach has the opportunity to vote for each week’s top-10 polls.

The players of the week are selected based on submitted coaches nominations.

Western Pa. Volleyball Coaches Association

WPIAL Boys Volleyball

Top-10 Polls — Week 6

Class 3A

1. Shaler (last week: 1)

2. North Allegheny (2)

3. Seneca Valley (5)

4. Norwin (3)

5. Penn-Trafford (4)

6. Canon-McMillan (6)

7. Butler (7)

8. Pine-Richland (9)

9. Hempfield (8)

10. Central Catholic (NR)

Out: North Hills (10)

Class 3A Players of the Week

Peter Breski, senior, setter/right side, Seneca Valley

Jackson Genicola, senior, outside hitter, Norwin

Dante Palombo, senior, middle hitter, Shaler

Will Robertson, sophomore, outside hitter, North Allegheny

Class 2A

1. Mars (last week: 1)

2. Ambridge (2)

3. North Catholic (3)

4. South Fayette (4)

5. Gateway (5)

6. Thomas Jefferson (10)

7. Derry (8)

8. Latrobe (6)

9. Seton LaSalle (7)

10. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (NR)

Out: Montour (9)

Class 2A Players of the Week

Liam Cooke, senior, setter, North Catholic

Alec Dunsmore, senior, outside hitter/middle hitter, Gateway

Hayden Merchant, senior, middle hitter, Seton LaSalle

Patrick Altmar, sophomore, middle hitter, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Ambridge, Butler, Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Derry Area, Gateway, Hempfield, Latrobe, Mars, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Norwin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn-Trafford, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Seton La Salle, Shaler, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson